Grey Matters

Mrs. Jen, One of our fave and well deserving clients, is currently getting the master bedroom of her dreams. KM Inc has completed almost every room in the rest of the house which includes her family room, dining room, all 3 kids rooms and a mini kitchen makeover. Being the devoted wife and SUPER MOM she is, Mrs. Jen has put her master bedroom on hold until now! The Mr. in Mrs. Jen wanted the look of hotel chic and Mrs. Jen wanted comfortable kid safe chic. We gave them the Ultimate Glam combo of both function and style. We will reveal the whole project at a later date but for now, here's a sneak peak. 






The wallpaper is by Mark Alexander from the Thomas Lavin showroom, and the bed is custom made from KM Inc.   Stay tuned for the project reveal.

Introducing....

Hi. My name is Kirsten Marie, and to be honest this is all very new to me. I have tried my best to keep up with blogs and happenings in this cyber world, and so far I feel like I have done great as a spectator. Now I am ready to take the plunge and bring my 10 plus years of experience in interior design with my own blog. This is gonna be tough trying to keep up with the thousands of BLOGGERS and DESIGNERS. I guess my take on the whole thing is a simple formula of "this is what I do, this is how I do it".  In this day and age I'm very fortunate. I've always relied on referrals, but...as we all know its been tough this last year.  My team and I decided I better get connected! So.....here's me. I love my job. Blogging, selling and showing off our interiors. Hope you enjoy the ride.

First order of business: I am proud to announce the launch of my new Website! 



Also on the agenda, we have recently started selling all sorts of vintage furniture and goods. We will be selling everything on Ebay but you can view our items on the website as well. Send me an email if you want any more details on the pieces you see posted.
Currently we have a booth at the Agoura Antique Market!





I sell vintage goods on ebay and through my website. Please contact me for purchase info. 

A HUGE 'THANK YOU' to RAJATON!


There is an amazing group from Finland called 'RAJATON'. I have had the great fortune to meet them on a few occasions, and attend a couple of their concerts. From the first day I heard their music, it inspired me, and I often listen to their music while painting or throwing on the potter's wheel.

On October 6th of this year, Rajaton released a new album, and guess whose painting is on the album cover?....This is amazing for me, as their music has influenced a lot of my work (If you know their music, I am sure you will recognize the influence.)

A bit about Rajaton from their website:
'In their native Finland, Rajaton is a bona fide pop phenomenon, successfully bridging the gap that often exists between classical and mainstream convention. The group has released 11 different albums. In 2003, Rajaton rose to n:o 2 on the charts with their album Joulu ("Christmas") which has to date sold double platinum in Finland. Building on the momentum of this mainstream success, in 2006, the group recorded Rajaton sings ABBA with Lahti Symphony Orchestra, an album which topped the charts in Finland and sold platinum in a month.

In 2010 Rajaton celebrates 13 years of music-making with one double platinum, three platinum and eight gold records in Finland to their credit. Their latest album, Tarinoita, is yet another significant milestone in Rajaton's story, as it is their first fully self-produced album, released in October, 2010, by their own label Boundless Records.'


Be sure to visit their website: http://www.rajaton.net/en/frontpage/ to learn more about them. Also, join their facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/rajaton

On October 15th, 2010, Rajaton will make their New York City debut at 8:00PM - singing the music of ABBA with The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall! If you happen to be in New York...you will not want to miss this!

Once again, a huge and sincere "THANK YOU" to Rajaton.... I know that when I am older and looking back on my career, this will be one of those moments that I will always remember!

A MUST-SEE GALLERY IN SARNIA!





There is a great gallery in Sarnia, Ontario, Called 'Artopia' that just moved to a beautiful new location. I am pleased to have both ceramics and paintings placed in this gallery. If you are in the area, be sure to drop in...the owner; Corinne is wonderful! The work of fellow Oxford County watercolour artist and friend; Sue Goossens is also carried in this gallery.

New Location:
188 Christina St. N
Sarnia, ON
519-332-0278

"Here In" Ingersoll Article....Thank you!



A big thank you to Katheryn Stewart-Bruni from Oxford Media Group for the great article that she wrote for "Here In" Ingersoll magazine. The support that I receive from the local community is always very much appreciated. It's great to live in a town that is full of such creative individuals and supporters of the arts.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
Visit the online version of the publication at www.oxfordmediagroup.com

A big thank you & nice surprise!



After a terrific weekend at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition (despite the rain on Friday during set-up!) I was very pleased to receive an Honourable Mention Award in Ceramics!
A big thank you to Tucker's Pottery Supplies for their very generous award!
Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition
Tucker's Pottery Supplies
Photos Courtesy: Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition

Gallery Profile: ABBOZZO GALLERY - Oakville, Ontario


Located in the heart of beautiful Downtown Oakville, Abbozzo Gallery has specialized in providing the finest in contemporary art since 1993. As Oakville's finest gallery devoted exclusively to original works of art, Abbozzo represents both established and emerging painters, printmakers and sculptors.

I am pleased to be represented by this amazing gallery and encourage you to drop in, if you are in Oakville.
They now carry not only my sculptures, but also have a great selection of new paintings as well.

Click the link below to see my paintings that they currently have in stock:
http://shane-norrie.abbozzogallery.com/shane-norrie-paintings.htm

http://abbozzogallery.com/ for more information

Enjoy!

BURLINGTON ART CENTRE EXHIBITION




I was very pleased to be asked to exhibit at the Burlington Art Centre, from May 8, until August 1, 2010 alongside my good friend Shirley Clifford, who is also from Ingersoll. The exhibition was organized by Curator of the Collection; Jonathan Smith, M.F.A., who is one of Canada's foremost authorities on ceramics. Although the show is now open, the official opening and artists' tour and talk is on June 6th, from 2-4pm. I have posted a couple of images of the exhibition installation, but this is only a small portion of the work.

About the Burlington Art Centre: A multi-faceted facility nestled next to Lake Ontario in the heart of Burlington, Ontario. It is truly a centre for art, supporting artists, staging exhibitions, nurturing a nationally and internationally recognized ceramic collection, and serving the community.

Permanent Collection: From its early foundation, the BAC also expanded to become home to a permanent collection of ceramics, vigorously acquired since 1983. The BAC Permanent Collection of Contemporary Canadian Ceramics has achieved international recognition and is the largest such collection in Canada. It continues to grow in size and artistic depth. ( I was very pleased to find out that I have a few pieces included in this terrific collection!)

www.burlingtonartcentre.on.ca for more information

Tom Thompson Art Gallery-Owen Sound






Here are some great shots of the Masterworks Southwest touring exhibition that I was fortunate to have my work included in.
If you are in Owen Sound, be sure to drop into the gallery. It is a terrific exhibition. If you can't make it to Owen Sound, check out the Ontario Crafts Council website for the other galleries that this exhibition will be travelling to, until December 17, 2010!

Masterworks Southwest - Organized by the Ontario Crafts Council
Photo Images by: Kris Rosar

www.tomthomson.org

www.craft.on.ca

A great shot of some of my paintings


I thought I'd share a great photo, taken by photographer Kim Jeffery, of some of my paintings.
Interior designer Cameron MacNeil used them in a space that he was working on for a client. I love how he hung them as a vertical diptych, as opposed to the standard horizontal.
Be sure to Check out his website and blog:
www.cameronmacneil.com
www.cameronmacneil.blogspot.com

Masterworks Southwest-Touring Exhibition


I was pleased to be included in a travelling Exhibition organized by the Ontario Crafts Council.

About the exhibition...
Masterworks Southwest is a juried travelling exhibition of contemporary craft that will visit five galleries between March – December, 2010. This exhibit will showcase 39 pieces of contemporary craft from makers across Southwestern Ontario. The exhibition will be shown at the following locations:

Tom Thomson Art Gallery (Owen Sound)
Burdette Gallery (Orton)
Art Gallery of Windsor
Greenwood Quiltery & Gallery (Guelph)
Station Arts Centre (Tillsonburg)
Please join us for the opening reception on Sunday, March 28 at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery between 2-4pm.

visit: www.craft.on.ca for more information
To view an online version of the publication for the exhibition, visit:
http://www.craft.on.ca/OCC_News/Southwest_Update#Masterworks_Southwest

Sour Cherry Pottery- Tony & Sheila Clennell





I remember, more than 10 years ago, when I was just a newbie in the clay world, seeing a gnarly and crusty woodfired teapot at an exhibition opening, hosted by FUSION: The Ontario Clay and Glass Association. I had seen lots of pottery and ceramics, but this was different...It had a soul, and for some reason, I was very drawn to it.

The image of that gnarly teapot has stuck with me throughout the years, and I often would think of it, when working on my own pieces. I still strive to capture that special 'something' in my work, that I saw in that particular teapot so many years ago.

That teapot was created by Tony and Sheila Clennell of Beamsville, Ontario. In my humble opinion, Tony and Sheila create some of the most successful ceramics around, and they are the ones that a serious or new collector needs to have in their collection. I have many of their pieces, and I never tire of living with them.

Be sure to visit their website: www.sourcherrypottery.com, and also read Tony's BLOG.
His blog is one of my favourites, and admittedly, I check it daily when having my morning coffee...It inspires me to keep at it, and strive to improve my work.

Even better...If you are heading to Niagara wineries for a daytrip, stop into their showroom in Beamsville, and don't miss out on the chance to add some of their work to your collection!

Jug Photo:Marcelina Salazar

While surfing design blogs for inspiration...


While surfing design blogs for inspiration, I came across 'Poppyseed Creative Living', a blog by Jelena Pticek of Toronto. Jelena does a great job of reviving tired furniture into one-of-a-kind statement pieces.
The black and white vase used in one of the vignette shots caught my eye... it was a piece I made some time ago while I was living in Toronto. Seeing it again makes me want to revisit the specialized firing process.
The photos were taken by Toronto photographer Brian Reiser. Be sure to check out his website and blog as well...it's very cool. www.brianreiser.com
Photo by: Brian Reiser

Those paintings look familiar...




Last Monday evening, I was watching 'INCOME PROPERTY', one of my favourite HGTV programs ( I think I have about 10 favourites! ) when something caught my eye. I noticed two paintings hanging in the makeover space, and thought, " those paintings look very familiar...could it be?!? " After some investigating, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that they were indeed my paintings...what a treat & terrific surprise!

Be sure to visit HGTV's website at: http://www.hgtv.ca/
http://www.canvasgallery.ca/